{"id":6681,"date":"2018-02-27T07:31:59","date_gmt":"2018-02-27T12:31:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/?p=6681"},"modified":"2018-02-21T10:30:19","modified_gmt":"2018-02-21T15:30:19","slug":"march-4-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/march-4-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"March 4, 2018–Be Nice…Always?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ginger Litman-Koon, Isle of Palms, SC<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Warm-up Question<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you were to qualify for the Winter Olympics, what event would you want to compete in?<\/p>\n

Be Nice\u2026Always?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In February, the 23rd Winter Olympic Games were held in PyeongChang, South Korea. Although tickets to the 2018 Games did not sell out, like they have in some years, nearly 1 million visitors, athletes, and support teams traveled to South Korea to participate. Visitors included guests from the 92 nations competing in the games, as well as spectators from non-competing countries. South Korea spent years preparing to host these Winter Games, including participating in high-stakes international talks with delegates from the hostile regime of North Korea, which resulted in the participation of ten athletes and 220 cheerleaders from the North. (Read more about the cheerleaders here http:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-asia-42616982<\/a>)<\/p>\n

While South Korea was preparing to receive its horde of international visitors, travelers were preparing as well for the particularities of Korean customs. While the South Korean hosts are a gracious and welcoming people, attention to local etiquette goes a long way to help tourist-host relations. When planning a visit to South Korea, here are some things you might want to know:<\/p>\n

Last names first. <\/em>Traditional Korean names list family name first. So if you meet
\nsomeone named \u201cKim\u201d or \u201cLee,\u201d you should use a Mr. or Ms. in front of it.<\/p>\n

Hands to yourself.<\/em> Unless you have been invited to do so, do not touch your South
\nKorean hosts. Personal space is highly valued.<\/p>\n

Please be seated.<\/em> In some Korean restaurants, it is not uncommon to be seated on the
\nfloor. But don\u2019t worry – the floor may be heated!<\/p>\n

No tipping, please. <\/em>If you see a \u201cNo tipping\u201d sign, don\u2019t tip. Doing so could be
\nconsidered offensive.<\/p>\n

Four no more. <\/em>Similar to American unease about the number 13, it is considered unlucky
\nto mention the number four. Some Korean elevators skip the fourth floor.<\/p>\n

Make a joyful noise!<\/em> Often, after a traditional Korean meal, guests are invited to sing
\nKaraoke. Refusing to do so may be considered rude.<\/p>\n

In addition to learning some traditional South Korean customs, some Olympic Games staff members received training on how not to offend delegates from North Korea. First and foremost, do not<\/em> mention their leader, Kim Jong Un. And second, don\u2019t bring up nukes! The presence of delegates from the North, including Leader Kim\u2019s sister, Yo Jong, is such a highly sensitive topic, extreme precautions were taken on both sides to avoid adding fuel to the fire of nuclear-armed tensions.<\/p>\n

Discussion Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n